Driving like I was invisible, because I was.

[rb608]

Tonight was an interesting experience. Coming through the tunnel in Baltimore in bumper-to-bumper traffic, I noticed that my headlight wasn't reflecting in the cage in front of me. Not only that, my light bar was off too. I switched to high beam, but no dice. Obviously, the fuse was toasted. So there I am, almost an hour from home on I-95 after sunset with zero headlight. I could see the road just fine, but to other drivers, I was essentially invisible.

Surprisingly, it wasn't a big difference. I found that I drove pretty much the same as I always do, but maybe being just a bit more apprehensive of other drivers changing lanes. An unlit bike in the dark just doesn't exist.

Getting off the superslab onto the local two-lanes was about the same so long as I was in the line of rush hour traffic, but once I got out onto the dark roads, I flicked on the turn signal for visibility, and that worked great. In the end, I made it home with no problems; but it was interesting.

[justinmahn]

Ha good job. Definitely something to make you think. What if . . .

[Amos Iron Wolf]

Wouldn't want to do it today, but back in the bad old days in the mid 70s I rode all over our rural area at night with no lights whatsoever on my old 106cc. Man, moonlight and a gravel road and you can see quite well. Just happy I wasn't meeting cars much then.

Glad you made it home okay.

[mblosch]

Originally Posted by rb608

Tonight was an interesting experience. Coming through the tunnel in Baltimore in bumper-to-bumper traffic, I noticed that my headlight wasn't reflecting in the cage in front of me. Not only that, my light bar was off too. I switched to high beam, but no dice. Obviously, the fuse was toasted. So there I am, almost an hour from home on I-95 after sunset with zero headlight. I could see the road just fine, but to other drivers, I was essentially invisible.

Surprisingly, it wasn't a big difference. I found that I drove pretty much the same as I always do, but maybe being just a bit more apprehensive of other drivers changing lanes. An unlit bike in the dark just doesn't exist.

Getting off the superslab onto the local two-lanes was about the same so long as I was in the line of rush hour traffic, but once I got out onto the dark roads, I flicked on the turn signal for visibility, and that worked great. In the end, I made it home with no problems; but it was interesting.

And it was too unsafe to pull off, find a c store and replace the fuse?

[Big_Country_vt1100]

Originally Posted by mblosch

And it was too unsafe to pull off, find a c store and replace the fuse?

+1 agreed

[ZackDaniels]

There are typically blanks or empty slots in your fuse box. I fill them with spares for just such occasions. Spend $2 on spares and never risk something like this again. Sounds like a rush though, glad you made it out OK.

This is one of those fun stories, but understand that if it went south you would be a headline shared as 'What an idiot.'

[Fellenz]

Originally Posted by mblosch

And it was too unsafe to pull off, find a c store and replace the fuse?

Common now..that would be too easy!
And no good story starts with I changed the fuse and went on my way...usually


Sent from my iPod touch using MO Free

[vito]

Originally Posted by mblosch

And it was too unsafe to pull off, find a c store and replace the fuse?

Actually...that area is kind of industrial.....not much retail wise and the areas off of some of the exits aren't exactly 'friendly'. There is absolutely no safe place to stop around the tunnel on 95.

[Hondaguy]

Problem is something shorts to ground draws a lot of current and blows the fuse to protect the circuit. that usually does not self correct with replacement

[1rusty1]

And to think we used to do this on purpose as kids just for fun. Yikes! I can't believe I'm still around.